*12th Annual Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award

Sponsor: Faith, Hope and Love Chapter
Fee: $20 FHL Members, $25 NonMembers
Deadline: March 1, 2012
Eligibility: Inspirational books with a 2011 copyright, published by RWA approved publishers.
Entry: Four new autographed books for each entry.
Categories: Long Contemporary, Short Contemporary, Long Historical, Short Historical, Women’s Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Novella.
Judges: Readers of Inspirational fiction.
Top Prize: Winner in each category receives an engraved box.
FMI, http://www.faithhopelove-rwa.org/irc.html or contest coordinator, Nancy Farrier: nancyjfarrier@gmail.com.

**Fab Five 2012

Sponsor: WisRWA (Wisconsin Romance Writers)
Fee: $18 WisRWA members; $20 Non WisRWA members
Deadline (received by): March 1, 2012
Eligibility: Unpublished in novel length fiction in last 5 years.
Enter: First 2500 words of ms. No synopsis.
Judges: Trained, published & unpublished.
Categories/Final Judges: Historical – Deb Werksman, Sourcebooks; Paranormal – Angela James, Carina Press; Romantic Suspense – Katherine Pelz, Berkley Books; Series Contemporary Long/Short – Megan Long, Harlequin Enterprises; Single Title – Nalini Akolekar, Spencerhill Associates; Women’s Fiction –Paige Wheeler, Folio Literary; Young Adult – Melissa Frain, Tor.
Top Prize: Silver Quill Awarded to top entry in each category, finalists announced in RWR.
FMI, WisRWA website (www.wisrwa.org). Link to Fab 5 contest for rules, entry form, and sample scoresheet. Email contest coordinator Joe Fraser at jfraser6353@yahoo.com for questions not answered from website information.

**Great Beginnings Contest

Sponsor: Utah RWA
Fee: 10.00
Deadline: March 1, 2012
Entry: First 5 pages; electronic entry only.
First round judges are trained and/or published.
Final judges: editors and agents.
FMI, http://www.utahrwa.com.

*More Than Magic

Sponsor: Romance Writers Ink, Tulsa OK
Fee: $25 by mail; $27 by Pay Pal
Deadline: March 2, 2012
Eligibility: All romance books with a North American Copyright date of 2011.
Categories: Erotic, Historical, Paranormal, Novella, Romantic Suspense, Sensual Contemporary, Single Title, Sweet Contemporary, Romantic Comedy, First Book.
Judges: Romance Readers.
Top Prize: The equivalent of the fee to the 2012 Romance Writers of America National Conference.
FMI, jackie.rwimagic@netscape.com or www.rwi-rwa.com.

**21st Annual Duel on the Delta

Sponsor: River City Romance Writers
Fee: $25.00
Deadline: March 15, 2012
Entry: electronic entries only; first twenty pages.
Judges: trained, published and unpublished.
Final Judges: TBA.
FMI, www.rivercityromancewriters.org; duelonthedelta@yahoo.com.

The 2012 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense for Unpublished Writers

Sponsor: Kiss of Death Chapter RWA
Fee: $15–30.00
Deadline: March 15, 2012
Entry: prologue/first chapter up to 5,000 words. All electronic entry.
Final judges: See website.
FMI, www.rwamysterysuspense.org or email: Brooke Wills at daphnecontest@gmail.com.

*The 2012 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense for Published Authors

Sponsor: Kiss of Death Chapter RWA
Fee: $25.00
Deadline: March 15, 2012
Entry: 2011 copyrighted mystery or romantic suspense.
FMI, www.rwamysterysuspense.org or email: Brooke Wills at daphnecontest@gmail.com.

**Spring Into Romance Contest

Sponsor: RWA San Diego
Fee: $25.00 Non Chapter Member/$20.00 Chapter Member
Deadline: March 17, 2012
Eligibility: Non published or not in the last five years.
Entry: First 25 pages of novel.
Categories and Final Judges: Contemporary Single Title Romance, Angela James (Executive Editor Carina Press); Novel w/Strong Romantic Elements/Mainstream, Kevan Lyon (Marshal Lyon Literary Agency); Category or Series Romance, Sarah McDaniel-Dyer (Editorial Assistant Harlequin); Paranormal Romance, Sue Grimshaw (Category Specialist & Editor at Large Random House); Historical Romance, Laura Bradford(Bradford Literary Agency); Romantic Suspense, Leis Pederson (Associate Editor Berkley Publishing Group); Young Adult (YA), Suzie Townsend (Nancy Coffey Literary & Media).
Judging: Chapter members (trained/one published).
FMI, rwasd.contests@gmail.com.

*2012 Prism Contest

Sponsor: Fantasy, Futuristic, & Paranormal Chapter
Fee: $30–35.00
Deadline: March 20, 2012
Eligibility: Books with publication date of 2011.
Entry: Novels and novellas with both romance and paranormal elements.
Categories: Dark Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, Light Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Futuristic, Time Travel/Steampunk, Erotica/Romantica, YA, Novella, Best First Book, Best of the Best.
Judges: published/unpublished.
Top Prize: gorgeous Prism Award, certificate, pin.
FMI, www.romance-ffp.com or PrismContest@romance-ffp.com.

**Touch of Magic 2012

Sponsor: Central Florida Romance Writers
Fee: $25 CFRWA members; $30 non-members
Deadline: March 20, 2011
Eligibility: Writers who are unpublished in book-length fiction (40,000+ words) in the past five years.
Entry: All electronic. First 25 pages (including Prologue, if applicable), plus up to three page synopsis (unjudged), in .rtf format.
Categories: Historical; Short/Series Contemporary; Long/Single-Title Contemporary; Paranormal; Romantic Suspense; Novel with Strong Romantic Elements; Young Adult.
Judges: Published, trained/unpublished.
Final Judges: Katherine Pelz, Penguin, Romantic Suspense; Kate Dresser, Simon and Schuster, Single Title; Meredith Giordan, Penguin, Paranormal; Helen Rosbugy, Medallion, Historical; Esi Sogah, Harper Collings, Novel with Strong Romantic Elements; Gail Chasan, Harlequin, Short Contemporary.
Top Prize: certificate, Frog Prince charm, announcement in RWR.
FMI, www.cfrwa.org or email contest coordinator Lorena Streeter at lorneastreeter@gmail.com. 

2012 Magic Moment Contest

Sponsor: Heart and Scroll RWA
Fee: $25 for RWA members or $30 for non-members
Deadline: April 1, 2012
Top prize: $100 and certificate
Entry: Send us any ten pages of your manuscript where the hero and heroine first meet, and we'll give you the benefit of three detailed critiques. Note: Magic Moment has gone paperless! All entrants have the option of submitting paper or electronic entries!
Judges: 1st round: experienced published and unpublished authors.
Final judge: Pamela Harty of the Knight Agency
FMI, visit www.heartandscroll.com or e-mail laurie@authorlaurielarsen.com.

**2012 Query Quandary Contest

Sponsor: New Hampshire RWA
Deadline: April 1, 2012
Eligibility: Open to published and unpublished authors.
Entry: query + optional 1-pg. synopsis
FMI, http://www.nhrwa.com.

**2012 Royal Ascot

Sponsor: The Beau Monde
Fee: $25 for Beau Monde Members for the first entry; $30 for Non Beau Monde Members for the first entry; $20 for subsequent entries. Multiple submissions welcome provided separate entry form and fee accompanies each.
Deadline: Friday April 6, 2012, midnight PDT: Deadline for all parts of entry.
Eligibility: Open to unpublished authors and authors who have not been contracted in book-length fiction by RWA PAN definition in the last 5 years. All entries must have at least partial Regency (Late Georgian) setting, broadly defined: within the United Kingdom between 1780 and 1840.
Entry: Entry length limited to 7,000 words (determined by computer word count).
Categories: Categories will only be used for first round judging. Six finalists will be determined based on highest score. Categories are: Regency Historical (longer Regency or Mainstream Regency-set); Hot Regency (Very sensual to Erotic Regency, at author's discretion); Wild Regency (Paranormal, Time Travel, other similar Regency); Sweet & Mild Regency (Traditional, Inspirational, Young Adult or other without explicit sex)
Judges: Three trained first round judges, including at least one published author. Lowest score dropped.
Final Judges: A panel of agents and editors TBA.
Top Prize: $100 Grand Prize and a certificate.
FMI, email royalascotcontest@gmail.com or visit http://main.thebeaumonde.com.

**2012 THE SHEILA Contest

Sponsor: Valley Forge Romance Writers
Fee: $25.00 for all VFRW members; $30.00 for all non-VFRW members
Deadline: April 7, 2012, 11:59 p.m. EST
Eligibility: Participation is open to all RWA members, published and unpublished, who have not published a full-length novel (40K words or more) in the category entered at the time of the contest deadline (April 7, 2012) and within the past five years.
Entry: Electronic entries only. Total of 35 pages, including synopsis (not to exceed 5 pages)
Categories and Final Round Judges: Single Title Romance - Emilia Pisani, Gallery Books; Historical (short or long and Regencies) - Elizabeth Poteet, St. Martin’s Press; Fantasy/Futuristic/Paranormal - Leah Hultenschmidt, SourceBooks; Women’s Fiction with Romantic Elements - Alex Logan, Grand Central; Romantic Suspense - Katherine Pelz, Berkeley; Young Adult - Wendy Loggia, Delcorte Press/RHCB.
Judging: Entrants will receive a detailed score sheet from four qualified judges including, whenever possible, at least one RWA PAN author. The lowest score will be dropped before determining the final score. The top five entries in each category will advance to the finals.
FMI, Jeannine Standen, Contest Chair, at contest@vfrw.com.

**2012 Touched By Love Award

Sponsor:  Faith, Hope, and Love RWA Chapter
Fee: $20–25.00
Deadline: April 1, 2012, Midnight EST
Eligibility: Unpublished authors or authors not published in the last 3 years.
Entry: Electronic entry only. First 30 pages of an inspirational manuscript, 2-page synopsis.
Final Round Judges: Published Authors.
Top Prize: Overall winner gets an editor critique.
FMI, http://www.faithhopelove-rwa.org or email RileyK1@aol.com.

**29th Annual Orange Rose Contest

Sponsor: Orange County Chapter
Fee: $25–35.00
Deadline: April 14, 2012
Eligibility: RWA members in good standing, not contracted/published in book-length fiction in last 5 years.
Entry: 50 pages including synopsis – electronic entry only to save printing and postage costs!
Categories: Contemporary Category Romance, Erotic Romance, Historical Romance, Inspirational Romance, Mainstream w/Romantic Elements, Paranormal/Time Travel/Fantasy Romance, Romantic Suspense, Single Title Romance, Young Adult Romance.
First Round Judges: Published authors.
Final Judges: Acquiring editors and agents.
Top Prize: $100.00
FMI, www.occrwa.org/contest.

*7th Annual Passionate Plume Contest

Sponsor: Passionate Ink
Fee: $15–25.00
Deadline: April 15, 2012
Entry: Electronic and print books with strong erotic elements. Must have a 2011 copyright date.
Judges: readers and reviewers.
FMI, visit www.passionateink.org or e-mail passionate_plume@yahoo.com.

**7th Annual Stroke of Midnight Contest

Sponsor: Passionate Ink
Fee: $15–25.00
Deadline: April 15, 2012
Entry: Electronic only; first 35 pages, first 20 pages for novella entries. A synopsis of up to 5 single-spaced pages (which will not be judged) must also be included. Entry must contain strong erotic elements.
Judges: trained, published authors.
Final judges: editors and agents.
FMI, visit www.passionateink.org or e-mail gina@passionateink.org.

2012 Written In the Stars Conference

Sponsor: North Louisiana Storytellers and Authors of Romance
Location: Holiday Inn Financial Plaza, Shreveport, LA
Fee: $100 before 1/15/12, $150 after 2/25/12
Date: March 2–3, 2012
Conference Features: Agents and editors, appointments, multitrack workshops, raffles, silent auction, critiques, book signings.
FMI, http://www.nolastars.com.

Fantasy on the Bayou

Sponsor: FF&P
Location: Marriott Hotel, 555 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA
Fee: $250–300.00
Date: March 2–4, 2012
Keynote: Karen Marie Moning
Conference features: 25-plus workshops, editors/agents appointments, On The Far Side and PRO pin Awards banquet, book fair/signing, and more.
FMI, visit http://www.romance-ffp.com/ or contact conference coordinator, Staci McGlothlin, mcglots@gmail.com.

Spring into Writing Workshop

Sponsor: Kentucky Romance Writers
Location: Hyatt Place Lexington, Lexington, KY
Fee: $30 for members, $40 for non-members
Date: March 17, 2012 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Presenter: Leigh Michaels
Workshop features: Focus on 'Writing Between The Sexes.' Local Tours scheduled for the Friday before the workshop
FMI, check www.Kentuckyromancewriters.com or email Jennifer Madden at authorjmmadden@gmail.com for questions.

Anne Stuart: Award Winning and Best Selling Author

Sponsor: Central New York Romance Writers
Location: Comfort Suites Hotel, Cicero, New York
Fee: $95 for Saturday workshop, $105 for Q&A with Anne on Friday night plus Saturday workshop
Date: March 9–10, 2012
Presenter: Anne Stuart
Topic: The art of writing dark and edgy romances and surviving and succeeding in the publishing business. Bring your conga dancing shoes!
FMI, visit www.cnyromancewriters.com.

Silken Sands Conference

Sponsor: Gulf Coast RWA
Location: Hampton Inn, Pensacola Beach, Florida
Fee: $155 for GCC RWA members, $170 for non-members, $180 for all after 2/1/2012
Dates: March 16–18, 2012
Speakers: Beverley Kendall (to be listed in RWR), Barbara Vey
Publishing Houses: Harper Collins/Avon, St. Martin's Press, Carina Press, Ellora's Cave
Agencies: The Bent Agency, The Knight Agency
Conference Features: Editor and agent pitch sessions and Q&A panel, workshops on craft, the writer's life, and the publishing industry, critique round table, book signing, costume party, basket drawings, awards banquet, the beach, and more!
FMI, Jillian Chantal at JillianChantal@gmail.com, or http://www.gccrwa.com/silkensands/.

2012 Texas Two Step Conference

Sponsor: North Texas Romance Writers of America
Location: Las Colinas, Texas near DFW
Fee: $105–$130.00 until December 31, 2011
Date: March 30–April 1, 2012
Featured Guests: Mari Mancusi, Kristen Lamb, Sara Megibow, Louise Fury, Lindsey Faber, Sue Grimshaw.
Conference Features: editor/agent appointments, contest awards, book signing, giveaways, and more.
FMI, http://www.ntrwa.org/texastwostepconference.aspx.

The Writer’s Toolkit

Sponsor: Indiana RWA
Location: Marriott East Hotel, 7202 East 22nd Street, Indianapolis, Indiana (special room rates available)
Fee: $75 includes continental breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack
Date: Saturday, April 21, 2012; breakfast 7:30–8:00 a.m., program 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Presenter: Bob Mayer
FMI, visit www.indianarwa.com.

2012 Let Your Imagination Take Flight Conference

Sponsor: New England RWA
Location: Salem, MA
Fee: $189–219.00
Date: April 27–28, 2012
Featured speakers: Kristan Higgins, Michael Hauge, Marie Force.
Conference features: agent and editor appointments, workshops, ghost hunt, networking opportunities, book fair.
FMI, www.necrwa.org.

Spring Fling Writers' Conference 2012

Sponsor: Chicago-North RWA
Location: Chicago Marriott Northwest, Hoffman Estates, IL
Fee: $184.00
Date: April 27–28, 2012
Keynote Speakers: Sherrilyn Kenyon, Mary Balogh, Simone Elkeles.
Conference Features: Q&A sessions with headliners, agents & editors, pitch appointments, multi-track workshops, publisher spotlights, silent auction, book signing, gala dinner and more!
FMI, visit   http://www.chicagospringfling.com.

Desert Dreams Writers Conference 2012

Sponsor: Desert Rose RWA Chapter
Location: Chaparral Suites, 5001 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale AZ 85250
Fee: RWA Members $215 through 12/31/11, $235 after; Non-RWA Members $235 through 12/31/11, $255 after
Date: April 27–29, 2012
Speakers: NY Times Best Selling Author Allison Brennan (To be featured in RWR); Martha Alderson, aka The Plot Whisperer; NY Times Best Selling Author Bob Mayer
Publishers: St. Martin’s Press, Harlequin, 5-Star, Sapphire Blue
Agencies: 3 Seas Literary, Waxman Literary, Spencerhill Associates, McIntosh & Otis, Cherry Weiner Literary
Conference Features: Desert Dreams Writers’ Conference provides authors of all skill levels – from beginner to multi-published – with the tools necessary to take their writing to the next level. Sessions will include general writing, career development, genre-specific, agent/publisher spotlights, as well as an agent/editor panel. There will also be one-on-one appointments with editors or agents, a book signing, and keynote addresses.
FMI, desertdreams@desertroserwa.org, http://www.desertroserwa.org/conferences/Phoenix-Romance-Writers-Conferences.php.

Retreat From Harsh Reality 2012

Sponsor: Mid-Michigan Romance Writers of America
Location: Yarrow Golf & Conference Resort in Augusta, Michigan
Fee: Range from $75 (Saturday only) to $300 (full weekend, meals & hotel included)
Date: April 27-29, 2012
Keynote Speaker: Eileen Dreyer (aka Kathleen Korbel)
Conference features: mini-workshops, silent & live auctions, book raffle, book signing, and more.
FMI, visit www.midmichiganrwa.org and click on the Retreat link.

Alexandra Sokoloff: Screenwriting Tips for Authors

Sponsor: Northeast Ohio RWA (NEORWA)
Location: Strongsville Holiday Inn Select in Strongsville, Ohio (8 mi. from Cleveland Hopkins Airport)
Fee: $75 Members, $85 Nonmembers
Date: Friday evening, May 11, 2012; all day Saturday, May 12, 2012
Workhop Features: Alexandra Sokoloff, suspense and thriller author and screenwriter; booksigning with NEORWA published authors.
FMI, http://www.neorwa.com or contact Mary Jane Esber, workshop coordinator, at mjesber17@gmail.com. 

Connecticut Fiction Fest 2012

Sponsor: Connecticut Romance Writers of America (CTRWA)
Location: Heritage Hotel, Southbury, CT
Fee: please visit our website for details.
Date: May 12, 2012
Keynote Speaker: RITA award-winning author, Sherry Thomas
Agencies: Jane Rotrosen Agency, The Ruben Agency, and many others.
Conference Features: workshops, editor/agent appointments, critiques, book fair/signing, raffles.
FMI, contact Gail Chianese gail_chianese@yahoo.com or visit www.ctwra.org.

Annual MERWA Writers Retreat

Sponsor: Maine Romance Writers of America (MERWA)
Location: Embassy Suites Portland, Airport, Portland, Maine
Fee: $60 MERWA members, $70 non-MERWA members
Date: May 18–19, 2012
Craft and business workshops, agent pitches.
FMI, www.mainerwa.com.

Fire in Fiction Workshop

Sponsor: MORWA
Location: Chesterfield Drury Plaza, St. Louis, MO
Fee: (includes lunch) MORWA members (as of 12/31/11) $35.00; non-members $65.00
Date: May 19, 2012
Speaker: Donald Maass
FMI, visit www.morwa.org; direct questions to Megan Kelly at megankellybooks@att.net.

Online Workshops

February Online Workshops

Channeling Your Characters

Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $15 – Members; $30 Non-Members
Date: February 1, 2012
Presenter: Alicia Rasley. FMI, http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org/coffin.html.

Hypnosis: How it works; How to write about it convincingly

Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $15 – Members; $30 Non-Members
Date: February 1, 2012
Presenter: Jeannie Eddy. FMI, http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org/coffin.html.

Romance Writing 101

Sponsor: Outreach International Romance Writers
Fee: OIRW members $10.00; $15.00 for nonmembers
Date: February 1–15, 2012
Presenter: Anne Marie Novark. FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/#FEB.

Steamed Up – Writing Erotic Steampunk

Sponsor: Passionate Ink
Fee: $15–20.00
Date: February 1–15, 2012
Presenter: Christine D'Abo. FMI, http://www.passionateink.org/workshops/.

Yummy Heroes Workshop

Sponsor: Outreach International Romance Writers
Fee: OIRW members $10.00; $15.00 for nonmembers
Date: February 1–15, 2012
Presenter: Jackie Ivie/Teresa Bodwell. FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/#FEB.

Finished Now What

Sponsor: Outreach International Romance Writers
Fee: OIRW members $20.00; $25.00 for nonmembers
Date: February 1–29, 2012
Presenter: Alexa Bourne. FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/#FEB.

Dirty Little Secrets of Character Development

Sponsor: Southern Tier Authors of Romance (STAR)
Fee: $20–25.00
Date: February 2–29, 2012
Presenter: Keena Lykins. FMI, http://www.starrwa.org.

Using Grammar to Develop and/or Strengthen Your Distinctive Writing Style

Sponsor: Florida Romance Writers
Fee: FRW Members $20.00; Non-members $25.00
Date: February 3–28, 2012
Presenter: Grammar Divas. FMI, http://www.frwriters.org/workshops.html.

Crafting Characters and Emotion to Create a Happily Ever After

Sponsor: RWA San Diego
Fee: $25.00 Non Chapter Member/$20.00 Chapter Member
Date: February 5–18, 2012
Presenter: Linda Conrad. FMI, rwasd.training@gmail.com or www.rwasd.com.

“Whose Story is This?” The Nuts and Bolts of Point of View

Sponsor: Lowcountry RWA
Fee: $16.00
Date: February 6–17, 2012
Presenter: Susan Palmquist. FMI, http://lowcountryrwa.com/online-workshops/#FEB.

Lining Up the Bones: Crafting Your Paranormal

Sponsor: Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter
Fee: $15–20.00
Date: February 6–19, 2012
Presenter: Angie Fox. FMI, http://www.romance-ffp.com/workshops.cfm.

From Concept to Synopsis

Sponsor: Northeast Ohio RWA (NEORWA)
Fee: $15.00 Members; $20 Non-Members
Date: February 6–20, 2012
Presenter: Marcia King-Gamble. FMI, http://www.neorwa.com or neorwaonline@gmail.com.

The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing

Sponsor: Lowcountry RWA
Fee: $16.00
Date: February 6–24, 2012
Presenter: Mayra Calvani. FMI, http://lowcountryrwa.com/online-workshops/#FEB.

Dreaded Synopsis

Sponsor: Lowcountry RWA
Fee: $16.00
Date: February 6–24, 2012
Presenter: Elizabeth Sinclair. FMI, http://lowcountryrwa.com/online-workshops/#FEB.

Completing Your Mystery

Sponsor: Lowcountry RWA
Fee: $16.00
Date: February 6–24, 2012
Presenter: Jacqueline Corcoran. FMI, http://lowcountryrwa.com/online-workshops/#FEB.

Fiction to Freelance in Six Easy Steps

Sponsor: Lowcountry RWA
Fee: $16.00
Date: February 6–24, 2012
Presenter: Beth Morrow. FMI, http://lowcountryrwa.com/online-workshops/#FEB.

BDSM for Writers: Characterization and Scene Analysis

Sponsor: Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter
Fee: $20–25.00
Date: February 6–26, 2012
Presenter: Dr. Charley Ferrer. FMI, http://www.romance-ffp.com/workshops.cfm.

Breaking Things Down into Threes

Sponsor: Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter
Fee: $20–25.00
Date: February 6–26, 2012
Presenter: Beth Daniels. FMI, http://www.romance-ffp.com/workshops.cfm.

Professional Manuscript Formatting: Make it Easy for Editors to Say Yes

Sponsor: Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter
Fee: $20–25.00
Date: February 6–26, 2012
Presenter: Lauri Blasch of Black Opal Books. FMI, http://www.romance-ffp.com/workshops.cfm.

Adapting Stories Across Sub-Genres

Sponsor: Dunes and Dreams Romance Writers
Fee: $10.00 for D&D members in good standing, $25.00 for non-members
Date: February 6–27, 2012
Presenter: Sabrina Darby. FMI, www.dunesanddreams.org.

The "W" Plot...or The Other White Meat for Plotters

Sponsor: Long Island Romance Writers
Fee: LIRW members $20.00; $25.00 for nonmembers
Date: February 6–March 2, 2012
Presenter: Karen Docter. FMI, http://www.lirw.org/class.html.

Inside the Criminal Mind

Sponsor: Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter
Fee: $20–30.00
Date: February 6–March 4, 2012
Presenter: Lucinda Schroeder. FMI, http://www.romance-ffp.com/workshops.cfm.

Scene CPR: Breathing Life into Ailing Scenes with Scene Goals, Disasters & Sequels

Sponsor: Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter
Fee: $20–30.00
Date: February 6–March 4, 2012
Presenter: Laurin Wittig. FMI, http://www.romance-ffp.com/workshops.cfm.

Agents and Editors: We Don't Bite...Much

Sponsor: Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter
Fee: $15–20.00
Date: February 13–26, 2012
Presenter: Lynn Price. FMI, http://www.romance-ffp.com/workshops.cfm.

Kiss Me or Kill Me: Writing Cozy Mysteries 101 for Romance Writers

Sponsor: Orange County Chapter
Fee: $20–30.00
Date: February 13–March 12, 2012
Presenter: Linda O. Johnston FMI, http://www.occrwa.org/onlineclasses.html.

March Online Workshops

A Lovely Place for Murder

Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $15 – Members; $30 Non-Members
Date: March 1, 2012
Presenter: Mary O’Gara. FMI, http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org/coffin.html.

The Speed of Write

Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $15 – Members; $30 Non-Members
Date: March 1, 2012
Presenter: Katherine Ramsland. FMI, http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org/coffin.html.

To Agent or Not to Agent

Sponsor: Outreach International Romance Writers
Fee: OIRW members $10.00; $15.00 for nonmembers
Date: March 1–15, 2012
Presenter: Donna Alward. FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/#MAR.

Vicky and Bertie: Researching the Victorian and Edwardian Tale (with or without a Steampunk Twist)

Sponsor: Northeast Ohio RWA (NEORWA)
Fee: $15.00 Members; $20 Non-Members
Date: March 1–29, 2012
Presenter: Beth Daniels, aka Beth Henderson, JB Dane. FMI, http://www.neorwa.com or neorwaonline@gmail.com.

Crafting Dialogue

Sponsor: Outreach International Romance Writers
Fee: OIRW members $20.00; $25.00 for nonmembers
Date: March 1–31, 2012
Presenter: Joni Fisher. FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/#MAR.

Show and Tell Workshop

Sponsor: Outreach International Romance Writers
Fee: OIRW members $20.00; $25.00 for nonmembers
Date: March 1–31, 2012
Presenter: Shannon Donnelly. FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/#MAR.

Book-in-a-Month

Sponsor: Lowcountry RWA
Fee: $16.00
Dates: March 3–30, 2012
Presenter: Kit Frazier. FMI, http://lowcountryrwa.com/online-workshops/#MAR.

Got Rights? How to Publish Your Book on Kindle

Sponsor: Lowcountry RWA
Fee: $16.00
Dates: March 5–16, 2012
Presenter: Nina Bruhns. FMI, http://lowcountryrwa.com/online-workshops/#MAR.

Social Media For Writers

Sponsor: RWA San Diego
Fee: $25.00 Non Chapter Member/$20.00 Chapter Member
Date: March 5–16, 2012
Presenter: Ken and Lisa Kessler. FMI, rwasd.training@gmail.com or www.rwasd.com.

The Tiny Art of Elevator Pitches: How to Craft Them & How to Use Them

Sponsor: Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter
Fee: $20–25.00
Date: March 5–25, 2012
Presenter: Carrie Lofty. FMI, http://www.romance-ffp.com/workshops.cfm.

Contests: The Basics

Sponsor: Lowcountry RWA
Fee: $16.00
Dates: March 5–28, 2012
Presenter: Alexa Bourne, FMI, http://lowcountryrwa.com/online-workshops/#MAR.

Novel Boot Camp

Sponsor: Lowcountry RWA
Fee: $16.00
Dates: March 5–28, 2012
Presenter: Pat Mason. FMI, http://lowcountryrwa.com/online-workshops/#MAR.

Writing About Magic and Magicians

Sponsor: Lowcountry RWA
Fee: $16.00
Dates: March 5–28, 2012
Presenter: Rayne Hall. FMI, http://lowcountryrwa.com/online-workshops/#MAR.

Creating Professional-Looking Book Covers and Web Graphics on a Budget

Sponsor: Dunes and Dreams Romance Writers
Cost: $10.00 for D&D members in good standing, $25.00 for non-members
Dates: March 5–30, 2012
Presenter: Brian Jackson. FMI, www.dunesanddreams.org.

Developing Brand You!

Sponsor: Yosemite Romance Writers
Fee: $20–25.00
Date: March 5–30, 2012
Presenter: Jennifer Fusco. FMI, http://www.yosemiteromancewriters.com.

Business on a Shoestring

Sponsor: Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter
Fee: $20–30.00
Date: March 5–April 1, 2012
Presenter: Pepper O'Neal. FMI, http://www.romance-ffp.com/workshops.cfm.

Down, Dirty and Quick Plotting Boot Camp

Sponsor: Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter
Fee: $20–30.00
Date: March 5–April 1, 2012
Presenter: Raquel Rodriguez, FMI, http://www.romance-ffp.com/workshops.cfm.

Going to the Dark Side: Writing and World Building for Vamps, Weres and Other Paranormal Types

Sponsor: Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter
Fee: $20–30.00
Date: March 5–April 1, 2012
Presenter: Theresa Meyers, FMI, http://www.romance-ffp.com/workshops.cfm.

Showing the Transformational Character Arc

Sponsor: Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter
Fee: $15–20.00
Date: March 12–25, 2012
Presenter: Jodi Henley, FMI, http://www.romance-ffp.com/workshops.cfm.

It's Not Just Point of View

Sponsor: Orange County Chapter
Fee: $20–30.00
Date: March 12–April 8, 2012
Presenter: Shannon Donnelly. FMI, http://www.occrwa.org/onlineclasses.html.

Oh, The Horror!

Sponsor: Passionate Ink
Fee: $15–20.00
Date: March 16–31, 2012
Presenter: J.K. Coi. FMI, http://www.passionateink.org/workshops/.

April Online Workshops

Forensic Toxicology & Understanding Drugs & Poisons

Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $15 – Members; $30 Non-Members
Date: April 1, 2012
Presenter: DP Lyle MD. FMI, http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org/coffin.html.

How Screwing Around on the Internet Can Lead to Fame (sort of) and Fortune (sort of)

Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $15 – Members; $30 Non-Members
Date: April 1, 2012
Presenter: Corrina Lawson. FMI, http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org/coffin.html.

Principles of Website Design

Sponsor: Florida Romance Writers
Fee: FRW members $20.00, Non-members $25.00
Date: April 1–13 2012
Presenter: Catherine Chant. FMI, http://www.frwriters.org/workshops.html.

A Sexy Synopsis–or the Writer’s Little Black Dress (keeping it short and functional)

Sponsor: Outreach International Romance Writers
Fee: OIRW members $20.00; $25.00 for nonmembers
Date: April 1–28, 2012
Presenter: Shannon Donnelly. FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/#APR.

“Work. Pray. War. Capturing the Essence of the Middle Ages”

Sponsor: Outreach International Romance Writers
Fee: OIRW members $20.00; $25.00 for nonmembers
Date: April 1–28, 2012
Presenter: Keena Lykins. FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/#APR.

Ins and Outs of Writing Category

Sponsor: Outreach International Romance Writers
Fee: OIRW members $20.00; $25.00 for nonmembers
Date: April 1–28, 2012
Presenter: Tawny Weber. FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/#APR.

I've Got an Idea: Turning Ideas Into Stories

Sponsor: Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter
Fee: $10–15.00
Date: April 2–8, 2012
Presenter: Sue Viders and Becky Martinez. FMI, http://www.romance-ffp.com/workshops.cfm.

Seven Deadly Sins of Fiction

Sponsor: Northeast Ohio RWA (NEORWA)
Fee: $15.00 Members; $20 Non-Members
Date: April 2–16, 2012
Presenter: Susan Palmquist. FMI, http://www.neorwa.com or neorwaonline@gmail.com.

Killer Openings

Sponsor: Yosemite Romance Writers
Fee: $20–25.00
Date: April 2–27, 2012
Presenter: Alexa Bourne. FMI, http://www.yosemiteromancewriters.com.

Let Conflict Tell Your Story

Sponsor: Southern Tier Authors of Romance (STAR)
Fee: $20–25.00
Date: April 2–27, 2012
Presenter: Susan Meier. FMI, http://www.starrwa.org.

What the Action Heroine Knows, and the Writer Should: Martial Arts, Fighting and Weapons

Sponsor: Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter
Fee: $20–30.00
Date: April 2–29, 2012
Presenter: Rob Preece. FMI, http://www.romance-ffp.com/workshops.cfm.

From Austen to Aliens: How to Create the Classic Tough Chick

Sponsor: Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter
Fee: $20–30.00
Date: April 2–29, 2012
Presenter: Jacqui Jacoby. FMI, http://www.romance-ffp.com/workshops.cfm.

Crafting the Erotic Novella

Sponsor: Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter
Fee: $20–25.00
Date: April 9–29, 2012
Presenter: Kimberly Gardner. FMI, http://www.romance-ffp.com/workshops.cfm.

Storytelling

Sponsor: Lowcountry RWA
Fee: $16.00
Dates: April 3–30, 2012
Presenter: Shannon Donnelly. FMI, http://lowcountryrwa.com/online-workshops/#APR.

Legalese for Writers

Sponsor: Lowcountry RWA
Fee: $16.00
Dates: April 5–29, 2012
Presenter: Kris McConville. FMI, http://lowcountryrwa.com/online-workshops/#APR.

Formatting Fundamentals

Sponsor: Lowcountry RWA
Fee: $16.00
Dates: April 5–29, 2012
Presenter: Pat Hauldren. FMI, http://lowcountryrwa.com/online-workshops/#APR.

Work. Pray. War. Capturing the Essence of the Middle Ages

Sponsor: Lowcountry RWA
Fee: $16.00
Dates: April 5–29, 2012
Presenter: Keena Kincaid. FMI, http://lowcountryrwa.com/online-workshops/#APR.

Writing Flashbacks that Please Your Editor and Don’t Confuse Your Reader

Sponsor: Lowcountry RWA
Fee: $16.00
Dates: April 5–29, 2012
Presenter: The Queen of English. FMI, http://lowcountryrwa.com/online-workshops/#APR.

Writing the YA Romantic Comedy

Sponsor: Dunes and Dreams Romance Writers
Cost: $10.00 for D&D members in good standing, $20.00 for non-members
Dates: April 9–20, 2012
Presenter: Rhonda Helms. FMI, www.dunesanddreams.org.

The Five W's: Using Them to Build Your Plot

Sponsor: Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter
Fee: $10–15.00
Date: April 16–22, 2012
Presenter: Sue Viders and Becky Martinez. FMI, http://www.romance-ffp.com/workshops.cfm.

The Query Conundrum

Sponsor: Celtic Hearts Romance Writers
Fee: $20–15.00
Dates: April 16–27, 2012
Presenter: Kerri Nelson. FMI, http://www.celtichearts.org/workshops.html.

Self-Publishing

Sponsor: Orange County Chapter
Fee: $20–30.00
Date: April 16–May 13, 2012
Presenter: Debra Holland. FMI, http://www.occrwa.org/onlineclasses.html.

Words, Words, Words: Enhance Your Writing with Literary Forensics

Sponsor: Dunes and Dreams Romance Writers
Cost: $10.00 for D&D members in good standing, $20.00 for non-members
Dates: April 16–28, 2012
Presenter: Chrissy Olinger. FMI, www.dunesanddreams.org.

Writing the Lesbian Hero: Is she any different from a conventional romance hero?

Sponsor: Passionate Ink
Fee: $15–20.00
Date: April 20–May 1, 2012
Presenter: Len Barot w/a Radclyffe and LL Raand. FMI, http://www.passionateink.org/workshops/.

The Character's Arc

Sponsor: Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter
Fee: $10–15.00
Date: April 30–May 6, 2012
Presenter: Sue Viders and Becky Martinez. FMI, http://www.romance-ffp.com/workshops.cfm.

CONTEST FORMAT: Contest Name
 Sponsor (chapter name)
 Fee
 Deadline
 Eligibility
 Entry
 Categories
 Judges
 Final Judges
 Top Prize
 FMI (entry form, rules, score sheet, contact, Web site info)
 
CONFERENCE FORMAT:
 Conference Name
 Sponsor (chapter name)
 Location (place, city, state)
 Fee
 Date
 Speakers [up to five individuals (authors, agents, editors, specialists, etc.), also indicate which ONE speaker is to be featured in the RWR]
 Publishing Houses (house names only, no additional individual editor names)
 Agencies (agency names only, no additional individual agent names)
 Conference Features (workshops, multi-track, panels, appointments, critiques, awards, book fair/signing, raffles)
 FMI (contact, Web site info)
 
WORKSHOP FORMAT (FOR INTENSIVE, HANDS-ON, SINGLE-TOPIC, OR SINGLE-SPEAKER CONFERENCES):
 Workshop Name
 Sponsor (chapter name)
 Location (place, city, state)
 Fee
 Date
 Presenter
 Topic
 Workshop Features (critiques, book fair/signing)
 FMI (contact, Web site info)

ONLINE WORKSHOP FORMAT:
 On-Line Workshop Name
 Sponsor (chapter name)
 Fee
 Date
 Presenter
 FMI (contact, Web site info)
 
Deadlines are firm. Deadline for the May issue (which will include items with a contest deadline or conference date in June, July, or August or with an on-line workshop date in July) is March 1. Deadline for the June issue (which will include items with a contest deadline or conference date in July, August, or September or with an on-line workshop date in August) is April 1. Please follow the formats at the end of the Web site listings, not in the abbreviated RWR listings. E-mail submissions confirmed by reply. No attachments please. Send to chapterevents@rwa.org. Thank you!
 
For RITA, GH, and National Conference information, please contact RWA’s main office at 832-717-5200.